June at the Museum!

John F. Kennedy at the family homestead in New Ross, 1963.

June is a very busy month here at the Museum and we have a variety of different events andspeakers planned. There are also several significant anniversaries in June that honor Irish andIrish-American history:

In June 1859, the richest known silver deposit in the U.S. was discovered in Nevada by twoIrish laborers, Peter O'Reilly and Patrick McLaughlin. A fellow miner, Henry Comstock,stumbled on their find and persuaded O'Reilly and McLaughlin that it was his property. PatrickMcLaughlin sold his interest to his claims to for $3,500, which he soon lost in various businessventures. Peter O'Reilly went on to sell his interests for $40,000, and went on to explore othermining ventures in the area. He eventually lost everything and was declared insane. He wassent to an asylum in California where he died. Ironically, Comstock sold prematurely for $11,000. The lode produced more than $500 million worth of silver, a large share of which wentto the Irish-American Big Four: James Flood, William O'Brien, James Fair and JohnMackay. Comstock continued prospecting in Idaho and Montana, but had no success in finding

any more gold or silver. In 1870, while prospecting in Montana, he used his own pistol tocommit suicide.

The Battle of Vicksburg, fought from May 18-July 4th 1863 was a major siege in the westerntheater of operations that together with the Battle of Gettysburg (which was fought at the sametime in the East) was considered a major turning point in the Civil War. The capture ofVicksburg ultimately led to the Confederacy being split into two, cutting off the westernConfederate states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas from the rest of the Confederacy. TheCivil War ended on June 22nd, 1865. Irish fought on both sides in this conflict, with about200,000 serving in some form. The "Fighting Irish" became a household name!

On June 27th 1905, Western miners and other activists form the Industrial Workers of theWorld at a convention in Chicago. The IWW, or Wobblies, was one of the most radical of allorganized labor groups. Though they achieved only limited success in moving their agendaforward, they will inspire generations of labor activists with their militant spirit. Mother Jones,James Connolly, and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn are associated with the Wobblies.

On Thursday, June 13, 1912, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, and a group of suffragettes, smashedwindows in Dublin Castle to highlight the "woman's right to vote" cause. It was an offense forwhich she would spent a month in prison. 106 years later to the day, near to the windows thatwere smashed, President Michael D. Higgins unveiled a plaque honoring Sheehy Skeffington'sefforts in the struggle for Irish independence, and women's suffrage. Sheehy Skeffington co-founded the Irish Women's Franchise League, and fought for justiceafter her husband, Francis Sheehy Skeffington, was shot and killed during the 1916 EasterRising by a British Army patrol. President Higgins, in recognizing Skeffington, also pointed outthat the role of Irish women in nation-building has often been ignored. "For far too long, thehistorical contribution of Irish women in the struggle for emancipation, independence, andequality, and to our social life, has been overlooked," he said.

June 16th is immortalized forever as "Bloomsday" and the day is observed annuallyinternationally. This is the day James Joyce's novel Ulysses takes place in 1904, and is the dateof his first outing with his wife-to-be, Nora Barnacle. It is named after the novel'sprotagonist Leopold Bloom. Joyce always liked to say that Nora had come "sauntering" into hislife out of the Dublin hotel where she worked as a waitress. The first day they went walkingtogether was June 16, 1904, and Joyce always regarded it so romantically that he made itBloomsday, the day everything happens in Ulysses. Nora had only a grammar schooleducation, but when Joyce spouted his literary dreams to her and then declaimed: "Is there onewho understands me?", Nora understood enough to say yes. She eloped with him to theContinent (they were not married till 27 years later) and he swore to "try myself against thepowers of the world."

Irish-American James J. Braddock, recently portrayed by Russell Crowe in the movieCinderella Man, was an inspiration to fellow Americans during the Depression. Impoverished,working on the docks and with a hand injury that had supposedly ended his boxing career,Braddock, in 1934, was called upon as a late replacement to fight heavyweight contender ArtLasky with only two days to prepare. Braddock shocked the world, beat Lasky, and went on arun of wins that would see him beat Max Baer for the heavy weight title on June 13th,1935. During the fight, a dogged Braddock took a few heavy hits from the powerful youngerchampion (30 years versus 26 years for Baer), but Braddock kept coming, wearing down Baer,who seemed perplexed by Braddock's ability to take a punch. In the end, the judges gaveBraddock the title with a unanimous decision. Braddock held the title for two more yearsbefore losing it to Joe Louis. "Irish Jim" personified the good-guy underdog who made it. Hegave hope to millions in a time of unparalleled poverty and suffering in America.

A great Irish-American hero was Second Lieutenant Audie Murphy. Refused for service byboth the Marines and the Navy, Murphy was finally accepted into the Army in June 1942. Dueto his slight stature the Army tried to make him a cook but he stubbornly refused and went ontofight nine major campaigns and was wounded three times. Murphy won a Medal of Honor forhis actions on January 26, 1945, when he stood atop a burning tank destroyer and, thoughwounded, single-handedly held off six German tanks. At the end of the war Murphy accepted

an invitation from Jimmy Cagney to join him in Hollywood where he became a movie star.

D-Day happened seventy five years ago this month and it is no surprise that many Irish andIrish-American soldiers were involved in that landing. One of the first, some say the very first, US paratroopers on the ground on D-Day at 0015hours (quarter past midnight) on 6 June was the 82nd's Bob Murphy, an Irish-Americanmember of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment's Pathfinder platoon, the only 'stick' to landintact on D-Day, and importantly where it was planned to, a mile west of Sainte-Mère-Église.The 101st Parachute Division was commanded by another Irish-American, whose Irishancestry had possible connections in northwest Cork. The officer commanding the 'ScreamingEagles' was General Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne, who later in the war was tobecome the hero of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes (December 1944-January 1945) and would become famous for his one-word response to the German demandfor his surrender: 'Nuts'.The Irish-Americans were not only among the echelons of US military high command on D-Day, they were liberally represented with some strong characters among all ranks, evencolorfully so. Displaying ferocious Mohawk haircuts accompanied by facial war paint,representing a primitive and savagely wild appearance popular among some of the 101stAirborne Division personnel, Jack Agnew, born in Belfast, was a member of the 1st DemolitionSection of HQ Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Colloquially called the 'FilthyThirteen', the wartime antics of this group in service prompted the idea for the film The DirtyDozen.

John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president on January 20, 1961, forever banishing the"No Irish Need Apply" signs. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1917, Kennedywas the first and only U.S. president who was Catholic. At 43, he was also the youngest. InJune, 1963, Kennedy visited Ireland, the first sitting U.S. president to do so (Ulysses S. Grantvisited Northern Ireland after he was out of office.) Kennedy visited New Ross and stood onthe place where his great grandfather Patrick Kennedy last stood before he boarded a ship toAmerica. For Irish people, Kennedy was a hero, an idol; he embodied the ultimate Irishsuccess story - Great Hunger emigrant to the most powerful man in the world, all in just threegenerations. John promised that he would return to Ireland in the springtime. It was not to be.On November 21, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Kennedy himself referred to hisIrish visit as "the best four days of my life."

Traditional Music in the Rambling House at the Museum withComhaltas Ceoltóirí EireannThursday June 6th 7pm. Donations Appreciated.

Join us at the museum for our own rambling house and an informal music and song session byComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish Musicians' Association). This is a monthly event at themuseum and very popular. Bring your party piece or instrument! Audience participationwelcome and encouraged by our friendly group. Hear traditional Irish music, and old songs,stories and poems in a traditional format that still happens in many Irish homes (and bars)today.

The motto of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is "ceol agus gaol" (music and kinship). ComhaltasCeoltóirí Éireann, headquartered in Ireland, is the primary Irish organization dedicated to thepromotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. There are branches ofComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann all over the world.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Launch of new Fr. Patrick Peyton Exhibition.Sunday May 9th 2pm. Donations Appreciated.

All are invited to the launch of an exhibition on the life and work of Fr. Patrick Peyton, Albany's FamilyRosary Priest.

To help celebrate the extraordinary life and work of Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC, and recognize his intimateconnections to Albany and its people, the Irish American Heritage Museum will present a Father Peytonexhibit and associated programming. The exhibit presently resides at the Father Patrick Peyton Centre inAttymas, County Mayo (Father Peyton's birthplace and childhood home) and has been generouslyloaned to the Museum. In 1942 Father Peyton began his work in Albany and from there his mediaprograms and personal Rosary Crusades grew to reach literally millions of people around the world. Hiscause for sainthood in the Church is progressing and may be concluded with in the next few years. Join

us for a reception and a special viewing of the exhibit on Sunday the 9th.

Book Launch: Counterinsurgency and Collusion in Northern IrelandMonday June 10th, 7pm. Donations Appreciated.

The Irish American Heritage Museum and the LAOH JFK Division 1 are co-hosting thelaunch of the book Counterinsurgency and Collusion in Northern Ireland by MarkMcGovern, PhD on Monday June 10th at 5PM in the Museum. Dr. McGovern's book focuses on the end game policy of collusion in the Mid-Ulster area,when Republicans and their families were targeted by Loyalist paramilitaries and criminalsacting in concert with British State forces. It is the result of years of working with Relatives forJustice (RFJ) interviewing the bereaved and injured, and intensive research into collusion as astate policy.Also attending the book launch will be Mark Thompson, human rights attorney and founder ofRelatives for Justice. RJF was founded in 1991 and is an Northern Ireland based humanrights NGO providing holistic support services to the bereaved and injured of the Troubles.

Letters to Albany: Civil War Memories, Robert MulliganTuesday June 11th, 7pm. Donations Appreciated.

Robert Mulligan, Military Historian, will tell the stories of some Albany soldiers who fought inthe Civil War through the letters they sent and received from home. This is a unique look atwar from the personal perspectives of those at the front and at home. During the four years of

the Civil War, New York would send 474,000 men, 1/8 of New York's entire population, tocomprise 1/5 of the Union Army. Ten regiments and one artillery battery would be raised inAlbany County and Albany troops would play major roles and take casualties at almost everymajor battle of the Civil War. In total 2,327 men served in the 43rd. Of these, 813 were killed,wounded, captured, or died of disease.Albany's 43rd Regiment contained 5 companies knownas the "Albany Rifles," 2 companies from NYC, one each from Montgomery County,Washington County and Otsego County. They started the war under Col. Francis L. Vintonwith 706 men in September 1861. The 43rd fought at the siege of Yorktown, Lee's Mill,Williamsburg, and the Seven Days' Battle losing 71 killed, wounded and missing. The 43rd tookpart in the battle of Antietam, Chancellorsville, lost 138 men at Salem Church and 66 in anassault on Marye's Heights and Deep Run. Additional companies and recruits were addedperiodically.

Personal Memories of Fr. Peyton, various speakers including theLeonard Family and Dorothy Halloran.Wednesday June 16th, 7pm.

Join us as the Leonard Family, Dorothy Halloran, Fr. Peyton's secretary, and Sisters FrancesGilchrist, CSJ and Sister Karen Gaube, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph who knew him from his earlydays at the College of St. Rose, share their memories and experiences of Fr. Peyton. TheLeonard Family was an important family as Father Peyton began his ministry in Albany.Cecil Leonard was one of the first people to gather a group to fund raise so that Father Peytoncould get the resources to develop his Rosary Ministry. They began their fund raising activitieswith an Irish Dance at the Ancient Order of Hibernian Hall and celebrated fifty years lastyear. The Sisters of St. Joseph and many students spent hours preparing Father Peyton'smany letters to be sent around the country in support of his Rosary Ministry. The Sisterscontinue today as strong supporter of the Father Peyton Guild praying for his Canonization.

Bloomsday: Readings to Celebrate Joyce Monday June 17th, 7pm. Donations Appreciated.

Bloomsday is the annual celebration of James Joyce's Ulysses, a novel set on June 16, 1904, tocommemorate his first date with his future wife, Nora Barnacle. The New York Society forthe Suppression of Vice (NYSSV), a private organization with a state charter empowering it topursue obscenity eventually banned the the sale of the novel in the U.S., which lasted until1933. Come to the Museum to hear some of the more popular passages and to sing some songsof the "Rare Auld Times!"

Fr. Peyton and Mary, the Mother of Jesus - Laetitia Rhatigan Wednesday June 19th, 7pm. Donations Appreciated.

Laetitia F. Rhatigan STD (Doctor of Sacred Theology) with a specialization in Mariology, andshe will discuss Fr. Peyton's special devotion to Mary. Laetitia was Mission Director of FamilyRosary Albany Office; she is currently a consultant for Holy Cross Family Ministries. She hasministered in parishes throughout the Albany Diocese as Catechetical director. Her fondestmemories are those of working in parishes in the North County. She was Project Directorof Community Maternity Services (working with adolescent parents) in Warren, Washingtonand Herkimer Counties.

Musical Postcards from Irish Albany & Troy - Toss the Feathers Thursday June 20th, 7pm. Donations Appreciated.

Toss the Feathers presents an evening of tunes, songs and stories recalling the contributions ofIrish Americans to the industry and culture of the Capital Region. They will sing and playfamiliar songs and give some background information on the history and traditions of Irishmusic in the region, including some fascinating tidbits on instruemnts

Toss the Feathers features David Pease on Irish flutes and whistles; Dave Smith on bouzouki,banjo and vocals; and Amy Schoch on violin, violotta and vocals. The band has been playingtraditional Irish music and songs throughout the Capital Region since 2015.

Brian Conroy and Pat Egan in Concert Sunday June 23th, 7.30pm. $15 members, $20 non-members.

A fantastic night of Irish music and talent. Brian Conway is a premier Irish-American fiddler,and performs with a skill, grace and force that are steeped in tradition but distinctively his own.Well known in the Irish/Celtic community, Conway has won numerous All-Ireland fiddlingcompetitions, and has been called one of the best fiddlers of his generation. Nothing is missedor missing in Brian Conway's Sligo-style fiddling. Originally from County Tipperary, Pat Egan now resides in Baltimore, Maryland. Whilegrowing up in his native County Tipperary, Patrick loved music so much that he used to takehis guitar on the back of a horse and cart to school every week to get lessons from his schoolteacher, Phil Kelly. Luckily, there were lots of singers and guitarists in his home parish and oneof the first musicians he ever heard playing traditional Irish music was his neighbor - uilleanpiper Michael Cooney with whom, along with Paddy O'Brien, he would later go on to form theband Chulrua. Patrick has made extensive tours of the United States, and has also performedin Sweden, Norway, Holland, Germany, Scotland, Spain and France. He has appeared onnumerous television and radio programs in Ireland and abroad.

Fr. Patrick Peyton and the Road to Sainthood Wednesday June 26th, 7.00pm. Join us as Fr. Leo Polselli, CSC, Chaplin at the Father Peyton Center, Easton MA will describethe path to Sainthood and the technical aspects of canonization and the miracles attributed toFr. Peyton.

Special Edition Irish Brew at Emporium Farm Brewery, 472 N Greenbush Rd., Rensselaer

Tuesday June 25th, 7.00pm. $25 for drink, food, and keepsakeglass.Roger Savoy and his team at the Emporium Farm Brewery have brewed a special batch ofIrish Heritage goodness! Sample that (an Irish red), and a Stout, a cider, and an ale whileenjoying hors d'oeuvres and some stories about Irish-Americans and the history of brewing anddistilling here in the region, as well as some of their rebellions against the agency that becamethe IRS. Price includes a special collectible glass. Numbers are limited so be sure to call theMuseum to reserve your spot.

Irish American Heritage Museum| 518-427-1916 | info@irish-us.org | www.irish-us.org